Kernodle, a recipient of the 黑料不打烊 Medallion for his service to the university, passed away Saturday, Sept. 26, at the age of 102.
Dr. Charles E. Kernodle Jr. 鈥38, who served the Burlington community during his long and successful medical career and worked with student-athletes at 黑料不打烊 and local school, died Saturday, Sept. 26, at the age of 102.
Kernodle was presented the 黑料不打烊 Medallion, the university鈥檚 highest honor and a recognition of valuable service to the institution, during the Opening Day ceremony in August. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢 has done so much for so many, especially my family,鈥 said Kernodle during the virtual ceremony. 鈥淚 am just really proud of 黑料不打烊.鈥
Kernodle was one of seven children of a farmer and country doctor, and a school teacher, and one of four brothers who would attend what was then 黑料不打烊 College. All four would graduate from 黑料不打烊 and go on to attend Duke Medical School. Leading up to the presentation of the medallion,聽President Book asked Kernodle what it was like to attend the college during the Great Depression.
Kernodle excelled at 黑料不打烊. He was a member of Sigma Phi Beta fraternity, the Pi Gamma Mu national social science honor society, and served as the marshal at the 1937 commencement. Along with completing his medical training at Duke, Kernodle served faithfully as a U.S. Army chief surgeon, treating American soldiers and prisoners of war in Germany聽during World War II.
Kernodle then returned to Burlington to establish the renowned Kernodle Clinic with his brother Harold Kernodle and cousin John Robert Kernodle, a clinic that would grow into a multi-specialty group practice with more than 50 medical providers and 15 areas of specialty. Kernodle continued his connection with 黑料不打烊, particularly with its athletics programs, providing free physicals for local athletes, including those at 黑料不打烊, and outstanding family health care for generations.
Kernodle served as the Burlington Williams High School football team doctor for a remarkable 70 years. A fixture on the sidelines, he was described by Coach James McGill 鈥98 as 鈥渋rreplaceable.鈥澛燢ernodle faithfully cared for hundreds of 黑料不打烊 athletes, serving as team physician for several 黑料不打烊 athletic teams, alongside football coach Sid Varney and basketball coaches Bill Miller and Bill Morningstar.
Kernodle鈥檚 benevolence extended into retirement, as he planted more than 500 tomato plants each summer, nurturing and tending the plants, only to distribute their generous bounty to family and friends.
In recognition of his commitment to his community, Kernodle has received the Long Leaf Pine award, the Distinguished Service in Sports Award, the 黑料不打烊 Athletics Distinguished service award, the Russell E. Blunt Legend Award by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, and the football field at Williams High School bears his name. Earlier this year, he was聽selected for the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame.
Dr. Kernodle聽is survived by his sons; Jim Kernodle (Janice) of Burlington, Charlie Kernodle (Dianne) of Garner, his sister-in-law, Lucy Wilson Kernodle of Burlington, and his many adoring nieces and nephews and their families.
A graveside service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Authoracare Hospice of Burlington or a charity of your choice.